CIRCUMSTANCES OF LOSSMarine Gunner Ben Wisner was a pilot assigned to VMF-122, part of the Cactus Air Force operating out of Guadalcanal.

On 23 December 1942, Wisner took part in a strike against the Japanese airfield at Munda Point, New Georgia. “Overwhelming numbers of enemy fighters” attacked Wisner’s flight, and individual dogfights took place across the sky. An American airman saw one Wildcat shoot down a Japanese Zero, only to be shot down in turn.

When VMF-121 landed and counted noses, F4F-4 Bureau Number 03541 – piloted by Wisner – was found to be missing. It was believed that he was the pilot shot down over Munda. Nothing further was ever heard from Wisner, and he was declared dead on 24 December 1942.